In 1989 our company had a great idea for a completely new product.  Not only did we have an idea for a completely new product, but also a new business model that was going to allow us to build at a quality higher than anything on the market. We introduced both...and got nothing. No support. We had designed and engineered a completely new way of yachting in a product unlike anything else.  We took that new design to several dealers assuming they would be as excited about the new product as we were.  They weren't. In fact they said it would never sell. Faced with a product we were confident in and without a sales channel to sell it through we decided to create our own distribution network.  So that's what we did and in the process ushered in direct selling from manufacturer to customer. Now selling direct surely isn't something we invented there were even other boat companies doing it at the time.  However it was a business model that we had not initially wanted to explore.  We never thought we would be selling direct and be successful. That's the reality of being an entrepreneur.  Where you start isn't where you end up.  That's the beauty of creating something and having the courage to change it as you move along. Look at flickr, originally developed as a way to share screenshots for a game, now it's one of the largest consumer photo sharing sites. Look at Twitter, originally developed as an texting tool only, now a computer integrated communication platform. Look at Post It notes, originally a failed experiment by 3M researchers to find a stronger glue turned into one of their most successful products ever. It's not where you start that matters, its the fact you start. Speaking of start, download "10 Reasons Why Now Is The Best Time To Start Your Business" photo credit

"People don't start businesses because they want to, I explained. They start businesses because they have to--either for economic reasons or because they just can't bear to work for anybody else." This was a quote from a recent article Should MBA's start their own businesses? Could it be that people don't start businesses because they want to but instead because they "have" to? What About Economic Reasons No doubt this is a very big contributing factor.  Its something that can motivate many people to branch out on their own.  That motivation can either come by choice or by force. The problem with entrepreneurial endeavors being solely an economic one is that when then economics just aren't there then you will need something else to sustain you through the hard times. When your working and working and you just aren't seeing the monetary results you will need to be able to fall back on something to keep you going.  The question is what is that something? What About Working For Yourself Again this is another good idea in concept but one that fails to address reality.  Nobody truly works for themselves.  You have a partner, you answer to him. You get a loan, you answer to the banks.  You sell something, you answer to customers.  The notion that you will work for yourself as an entrepreneur just isnt reality. You want to work for yourself, become an artist.  You want to be an entrepreneur, prepare to work for someone. What About The Other Reasons Don't you want to start a business?  Not because you have to, but because you really want to?  Being passionate about something and using that passion to start a business is more often than not the main reason entrepreneurs do what they do. There's other reasons to, such as the challenge of trying something new, helping others, leaving a legacy and more. What about you, what reasons have you or do you want to start a business?

As an entrepreneur when it comes to sharing your ideas there are three types of people you will encounter...negative, positive or indifferent. Here's the scenario, you schedule a meeting, everyone arrives and you commence with your presentation. The presentation comes to an end and now it's time for some feedback. (You can exchange meeting for product launch, new service offering, etc) As you go around the room everyone you hear from falls into one of these three categories -negative, positive and indifferent. The question you should be asking yourself is how do you deal with them and what's your response. Dealing With Negative People At first glance, you would think these are the types that you should try an avoid. It seems like no matter how great of an idea you bring forward these people always have a reason it can't, shouldn't or won't be done. The problem is we tend to immediately discount the criticism based on the negative attitude that comes with it. What you need to know is that out of the three types this one can be of the most benefit to you and your idea. Sounds crazy? Here's why it isn't. First, the negative types are going to bring you objections that others will also bring. Preparing yourself to deal with those is something that will help you make your presentation and idea better. Now the objections may not be warranted, but it will help you prepare an answer to why it's not.  In addition many time the negative comments can be used to improve your idea. Second, if you can explain to a negative person why the idea will work, then you are preparing yourself to sell the idea, product, service down the road.  Handling objections is part of sales and this will help you develop that skill.  Oh and typically if you can change a negative persons perspective to see your idea is a good one, you have a champion for your idea.

What motivates you? Money? Recognition? Fear? Self? Others? As an entrepreneur finding a source of motivation is something you will routinely do.  In fact if you aren't then most likely you're stuck in park, unable to move forward. So what or who do you look to for motivation? Other People Looking to others for motivation is a good place to start.  In fact it's a likely source to helping you get over that hump, or moving to the next level. Learning from others that have been where you're trying to go is a helpful way to help spur you on. Personally I look for stories where people have overcome adversity or great odds to achieve something.  People that have started with just an idea and grown it into a movement. I also don't look to just people in business, I find inspiration and motivation from a variety of areas. However I want to warn you, if you're  motivation continually comes from those around you then you are going to have a difficult time.  The truth is most of the time the road is lonely and learning how to be self motivated is something you must develop.

Curiosity may have killed the cat but without it you don't stand a chance at succeeding as an entrepreneur. Some of the questions I get about the path to success go like this; Should I go to college or start a business? Do I need to get an MBA in order to be successful?  Does the school I go to matter? Would the better investment be in a degree or using that money to start a business? If your dreams, goals or aspirations involve being an entrepreneur then no college, MBA's and degrees aren't necessary. What is though is a curiosity to learn new things. Why College Was Historically Important Colleges have historically been the most efficient way to educate the most people to prepare them for the widest spectrum of career opportunities.  The Internet has changed all that.  Knowledge is now distributed without the need of campuses, teachers, text books, classrooms and buildings. Today, gathering knowledge that is not only equal to, but superior than most College curriculum is available to all.  In fact if your interested in attending MIT, go ahead, all 1900 classes they offer are available to you for free. Its not just MIT either.  Want to attend Stanford, its available.  How about Carnegie Mellon, go ahead. All of this information can be had and the best part is it's for free.